A Little Hotel In Cornwall (Book One) by Laura Briggs - Blog Tour & Book Review

Today, I am excited to be part of Laura Briggs' blog tour for her new book A Little Hotel in Cornwall (Book One), thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources Blog Tours ..... check out my review below ....

Genre:  Romance/Chic Lit

Publication Date:  30 April 2019

First Book of a Series

Estimated Page Count:  130

Struggling American waitress and aspiring novelist Maisie Clark dreams of becoming a full-time writer — even though in real life she's just lost her chance at an exclusive writer's mentorship program that would give her novel its big break.  Desperate, she decides to take a chance and ask her favourite writer, a celebrated but reclusive English novelist, to help her find a second chance.

When she receives the author's reply in an envelope with a Cornish postmark, Maisie decides not to take the writer's half-hearted 'no' for an answer. With nothing to lose, she takes off for the author's last known location, a beautiful hotel on Cornwall's western coast. But when the hotel mistakes her for the latest applicant for a maid's position, Maisie finds herself given an opportunity too good to lose ... and a chance for a summer adventure far bigger than she ever imagined.

Surrounded by breathtaking Cornwall and working in an elegant hotel, Maisie's world becomes one of secret identities, quirky friends, and unintentional mishaps — and despite reminders of past relationship disasters, a certain handsome, charming local resident Sidney Daniels has her conflicted about her heart's desires, too. 

Will Maisie find the chance she's been waiting for — and a possible new romance — in her perfect Cornish summer?

A Little Hotel in Cornwall is the first book in a new series and I enjoyed this so much that I'll be keeping an eye out for the next book to come.

I really warmed to the lovely Maisie straightaway, she was tenacious and impulsive, giving up her home to travel all the way from America to a little village on the Cornish coast in England, all in pursuit of her writing dream.

As soon as she arrives at the elegent Penmarrow Hotel she meets an assortment of eccentric and wonderful characters, none of whom know the real reason she's there, they all mistake her for someone else.

As this is a novella, some of the characters are not as fleshed out as they would be in a full length novel, nonetheless a large amount is packed into the pages and I'm sure in the next novel they'll be more well-defined, which I'm looking forward to.

In particular, I'd like to know more about the enigmatic Stanley, who seems to collect stray dogs, tries his hand at being a handyman but confesses he's not very good at it!  How he makes a living I don't know!

A Little Hotel in Cornwall is a fun read, a feel-good read, with lots of delicious possibilities to look forward to!

About Laura Briggs

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Laura Briggs is the author of several lighthearted romance novels and novellas, including the bestselling Amazon UK series A Wedding in Cornwall. She has a fondness for vintage-style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern day mysteries. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with family, caring for her pets, going to movies and plays, and trying new restaurants.

A Perfect Cornish Summer by Phillipa Ashley - Blog Tour & Extract

Today, I am excited to be part of Phillipa Ashley's blog tour for her new book A Perfect Cornish Summer, thanks to Avon Books ..... check out an exclusive extract below ....

A brand new novel from the queen of Cornish romance

For Sam Lovell, organising the summer festival in her hometown is one of the highlights of her year. It’s not always smooth sailing, but she loves to see Porthmellow’s harbour packed with happy visitors, and being on the committee has provided a much-needed distraction from the drama in her family life (and the distinct lack of it in her love life).

When their star guest pulls out with only a few weeks to go, everyone’s delighted when a London chef who grew up locally steps in at the last minute. But Gabe Matthias is the last person Sam was expecting to see, and his return to Porthmellow will change her quiet coastal life for ever.

Curl up with this gorgeous novel and savour the world of Porthmellow Harbour

EXTRACT

Not everything had gone well. Sam’s own love life

had suffered while she’d been trying to make a living.

At thirty-two, there was still no Mr Right on the

horizon – not even so much as Mr Right Now. Sam

had thrown almost all her energy into work, the

festival and looking out for Zennor. She’d had plenty

of interest and offers – a bit like one of

Porthmellow’s sought-after harbourside cottages –

but once any guy had seen the work required to

maintain the place, they’d given up.

And being honest with herself, Sam had never truly

wanted to put in any work on a relationship herself.

No matter how much she hated to admit it, she’d

never really got over Gabe. She certainly still hadn’t

forgiven him for turning Ryan in to the police.

As Sam climbed the ladder to pin up her last poster,

she found herself replaying what had happened

eleven years before on the night Ryan had been

arrested. She’d been alone in Wavecrest when Gabe

had arrived. Zennor and Ryan were out and she’d

been looking forward to them having some time

together in the cottage.

The moment she’d opened the door, a smile on her

face, she’d leapt on him.

‘You’re late. I’ve been going mad with lust,’ she’d

whispered.

Before he could reply, she’d kissed him but he had

pushed away gently – so gently – and said: ‘Sam.

Sam, I need to tell you something. It’s not good news.

’And her heart had stopped, her chest had tightened.

Was Gabe going to tell her it was over between them?

That he’d met someone else?

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Perfect Crime by Helen Fields - Blog Tour & Extract

Today, I am thrilled to be part of Helen Field's blog tour for her new novel Perfect Crime thanks to Avon Books ..... read an exclusive extract below .....

‘Highly recommended’ JAMES OSWALD

‘Deliciously dark and gritty’ CAROLINE MITCHELL

Your darkest moment is your most vulnerable…

Stephen Berry is about to jump off a bridge until a suicide prevention counsellor stops him. A week later, Stephen is dead. Found at the bottom of a cliff, DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner are drafted in to investigate whether he jumped or whether he was pushed…

As they dig deeper, more would-be suicides roll in: a woman found dead in a bath; a man violently electrocuted. But these are carefully curated deaths – nothing like the impulsive suicide attempts they’ve been made out to be.

Little do Callanach and Turner know how close their perpetrator is as, across Edinburgh, a violent and psychopathic killer gains more confidence with every life he takes…

An unstoppable crime thriller from the #1 bestseller. The perfect read for fans of Karin Slaughter and M. J. Arlidge.

EXTRACT

Ducking under additional crime-scene tape, they moved to a level paved outcrop with a visitors’ information board. The section was wide, easily three foot across, and level enough to have stood safely, if not advisedly on top of the wall, overlooking the bridge and the moat. Above them, higher walls blocked some of the wind but none of the rain.

 ‘Apparently, this is the fore tower. When exactly did our man fall?’

 ‘He was found at the bottom of the wall when staff got in this morning. The castle doesn’t open until 10 a.m. at this time of year and the door we came through is locked at night. We won’t know what time he fell until Ailsa completes her report and estimates time of death, but it was between about 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. They have cameras at the visitor centre, which we’ve checked, but they don’t give a good enough night-time picture for us to see anything,’ Ava shouted over the wind.

 ‘He broke in?’ Callanach asked.

 ‘What?’ Ava yelled, huddling into him to hear.

 Callanach put an arm around her shoulders and cupped a hand over her ear to make himself heard.

 ‘I said, did he break in or just stay after the centre closed?’

 ‘I’m told there’s no damage to the door or the lock, but there’s no CCTV of the castle itself, so we can’t be sure. Apparently, people have ended up locked in here at night before. Plenty of small corners to hide if you don’t want to be spotted. Look …’ She pointed over the edge, leaning perilously across the rough stone wall.

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Sleep by C.L. Taylor - Blog Tour & Book Review

Today, I am delighted to be part of C.L. Taylor's blog tour for her new novel Sleep thanks to Avon Books ..... check out my review below of this psychological thriller ....

All Anna wants is to be able to sleep. But crushing insomnia, terrifying night terrors and memories of that terrible night are making it impossible. If only she didn’t feel so guilty…

To escape her past, Anna takes a job at a hotel on the remote Scottish island of Rum, but when seven guests join her, what started as a retreat from the world turns into a deadly nightmare.

Each of the guests have a secret, but one of them is lying – about who they are and why they're on the island. There's a murderer staying in the Bay View hotel. And they've set their sights on Anna.

Seven strangers. Seven secrets. One deadly lie.

Someone’s going to sleep and never wake up…

Following a tragic car accident, Anna, convinced that someone's stalking her, decides to make a fresh start miles away from her home on a lonely Scottish island.

Anna still feels guilty about the accident and is trying to put it behind her but some of the guests seem very secretive and, after a series of unexplained incidents occur, she starts to suspect they're not what they seem.

Sleep is one of those books where you suspect everyone, I kept changing my mind as the story progressed and author C.L. Taylor is very adept at keeping us guessing, while thoroughly creeping us out.

A tense and atmospheric story which was well-written, at just the right pace, an easy read which I devoured fairly quickly as the twists and turns kept coming.

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The Start of Something Wonderful by Jane Lambert - Blog Tour, Audiobook Review

Today, I am delighted to be part of Jane Lambert's blog tour for her debut novel The Start of Something Wonderful, thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources ..... check out my review below of the audiobook ....

Genre:  Romantic Comedy of Self-Discovery

Publication Date:  January 2018

Publisher:  HQ, Harper Collins

Standalone Novel

Format:  Audiobook

Estimated Duration:  9 hours 45 minutes

It's never too late to follow your dreams....

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Forty-year-old air stewardess Emily Forsyth thought she had everything a woman could wish for: a glamorous, jet-set lifestyle, a designer wardrobe and a dishy pilot boyfriend. Until he breaks up with her...

​

Catapulted into a midlife crisis she wishes she'd had earlier, she decides to turn her life upside down, quitting her job and instead beginning to chase her long-held dreams of becoming an actress!

​

Leaving the skies behind her, Emily heads for the bright lights of London's West End - but is it too late to reach for the stars?

In The Start of Something Wonderful we follow Emily's attempts to make her dream of being an actress come true, something she's longed to become since she was a young girl.

As she lurches from one disaster to another, there are plenty of funny moments where I found myself giggling as Emily gains and then promptly loses an assortment of jobs, none of which she was suitably qualified for from selling jewellery to cleaning offices, just to make ends meet while she waits for her big break. 

Author Jane Lambert's enthusiastic reading was so easy to listen to, and the various sound effects such as the Italian opera music and audience sound all added to the atmosphere.

I really warmed to Emily, she was open and honest and I could imagine her being a fantastic best friend.

Some of the characters were larger than life, especially the Joanna Lumley soundalike Portia, acting teacher.  I loved her!

The Start of Something Wonderful is a fabulous read, with chaotic situations, but full of warmth and honesty, giving an insight into the unpredictable world of thespian life!

About Jane Lambert

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Jane taught English in Vienna then travelled the world as cabin crew, before making the life-changing decision to become an actor and voiceover artist in her mid-thirties. She has appeared in "Calendar Girls", "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time", "Deathtrap",  and most recently “True West” in London's West End.  She has recorded audiobooks for BBC AudioGo, Isis Publishing and HarperCollins. She is currently adapting “The Start of Something Wonderful” into a 6-part comedy drama for TV.

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My Sister's Lies by S.D. Robertson - Blog Tour & Extract

Today, I am delighted to be part of S.D. Robertson's blog tour for My Sister's Lies thanks to Avon Books ..... check out an exclusive extract below from this novel ....

For a decade, Hannah’s life has been pretty close to perfect – she has a great job, she’s married to Mark, and her child-free existence means she’s free as a bird. The only sadness in her life is a fall-out with her sister Diane, who hasn’t spoken to her in over ten years. But now Diane is on her doorstep – and this time, she’s got her teenage daughter Mia in tow.

When Diane asks if Mia can stay with Hannah and Mark for a few days, Hannah is glad of the chance to get to know her niece. But as the days turn into weeks and Diane doesn’t return, Hannah begins to worry. Why hasn’t her sister been in touch?

Diane is carrying a devastating secret that will destroy Hannah’s carefully constructed life. But how much is she willing to reveal – and when will she pick her moment?

An emotional story that delves into the true meaning of family, sisterhood and secrets. Perfect for fans of Kerry Fisher and Adele Parks.

‘A heartbreaking tale’ THE SUN

‘Exceptionally beautiful’ MIRANDA DICKINSON

EXCLUSIVE EXTRACT

Mia let out a tiny, almost inaudible sigh. ‘Fine. It’s called Dust.’

‘Oh, you mean The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman?’

‘No. It’s called Dust.’

‘I see,’ Hannah replied, shaking her head. ‘You’re quite right, then. I don’t think I have heard of that. Who’s the author? Is it YA?’

Mia frowned. ‘He’s called Hugh Howey. It’s the third part of a post-apocalyptic sci-fi trilogy.’

‘She reads a lot,’ Diane explained after Mia had left the room. ‘She’s a proper bookworm, like you were at that age. A different kind of book, mind. She’s definitely not into the girly stuff. And it’s not only the arts that she does well in at school. She’s also really good at maths, computing and the sciences. She’s quite the all-rounder.’

‘Really?’ Mark said. ‘That’s interesting.’

Hannah said nothing. She knew the ‘girly stuff’ comment was a dig at the kinds of novels she used to tear through as a youngster: mainly love stories and classics by the likes of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters, which Diane had regularly branded a waste of time. Such disparaging remarks were precisely the reason she didn’t want to mention her own book. Hannah was fiercely proud of her achievement; while a part of her wanted to boast about it, she also didn’t want to give her sister the chance to pooh-pooh it.

Diane had barely read at all as a child, so it was definitely interesting that Mia was a keen reader, especially with all the other distractions on offer these days.

Mark, obviously thinking along the same lines, continued: ‘I thought kids didn’t read books any more. That’s what you always hear in the news. They’re supposed to be permanently glued to their smartphones, right?’ He laughed, pulling his own phone out of his shirt pocket and giving it a little shake. ‘Just like the rest of us.’

‘Good point,’ Hannah added. ‘I haven’t seen Mia on a phone once. Doesn’t she have one?’

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The Forgotten Village by Lorna Cook - Blog Tour & Book Review

Today, I am thrilled to be part of Lorna Cook's blog tour for her debut novel The Forgotten Village, thanks to Avon Books ..... check out my review below

1943: The world is at war, and the villagers of Tyneham are being asked to make one more sacrifice: to give their homes over to the British army. But on the eve of their departure, a terrible act will cause three of them to disappear forever.

2017: Melissa had hoped a break on the coast of Dorset would rekindle her stagnant relationship, but despite the idyllic scenery, it’s pushing her and Liam to the brink. When Melissa discovers a strange photograph of a woman who once lived in the forgotten local village of Tyneham, she becomes determined to find out more about her story. But Tyneham hides a terrible secret, and Melissa’s search for the truth will change her life in ways she never imagined possible.

The Forgotten Village is a wonderfully intriguing story set in the past and present which I thought was an absolute delight to read.

Starting in December 1943 when the villagers are preparing to leave their homes for the good of the war effort, we meet Lady Veronica and her husband who are about to give a final speech to the people.

In the present and the village is finally being re-opened to the public by well-known historian, Guy, and Melissa, unhappy and with nothing else to do, decides to go and have a look round the deserted and ruined village.  She sees a picture of Lady Veronica and is immediately startled by what she sees in the old black and white photo.

This starts her and Guy on a journey to try and find out  what happened to Veronica as the story travels back and forth between the years.

Totally engrossing, the story gradually builds a picture of Veronica's unhappy life as Melissa's own unhappy life is dramatically altering as she and Guy discover secrets, lies and deception not only from the past but also in the present too.

Weaving in and out of the time lines, the tension is almost unbearable as the drama is played out in the past and I was holding my breath hoping it would all resolve itself.  I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!

The Forgotten Village is a fabulous debut novel by Lorna Cook, it is a well-written historical dual timeline novel, with likeable (and unlikeable) characters, an intriguing and unique storyline, and so dramatic at times.  I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience!

LORNA COOK lives in coastal South East England with her husband, daughters and a Staffy named Socks. A former journalist and publicist, she owns more cookery books than one woman should, but barely get time to cook. The Forgotten Village is her first novel.

Available to buy now from

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Bookdepository.com

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